by Mia Caldwell
***
After the physician left, Marisol found her father on the sofa in her suite, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was something she rarely saw, but when she did, it meant he was deeply troubled.
“Father?” she said. Trepidation was in her voice.
“Marisol,” he sighed. “Did I not raise you better? Where have I failed you?”
Immediately, Marisol went to him and threw her arm around his neck.
“You have not failed me ever,” she said.
“I must have. The physician…”
Marisol’s blood ran cold. The doctor was kindly but thorough. He’d also promised he won’t report to her father her intimate details.
“Understand it wasn’t what he said. It was what he didn’t say. Marisol, I’m not a stupid man. Was it this Ryan you keep speaking about?”
“Yes,” she said softly.
“Why? It is a sin. A mortal sin, Marisol.” Instead of being angry, he was sad and resigned, like he had failed in some way.
Marisol hated to see her father so distressed, but could what she had to say make things any better? She didn’t think it would, but maybe it was some time for some truth. If there was one thing Marisol had learned in the past few days, it was that living a lie only hurt.
“Why?” she said. “Because I love him.”
“How do you know that?” her father demanded. There was some anger in his voice now.
Marisol kneeled on the floor in front of him and looked into his eyes.
“Because, Father, I feel it in my heart. Mother once told me she loved you the moment she met you. Didn’t you feel the same? Didn’t you know? How could it be any different for me? Why aren’t my feelings as genuine as yours were for Mother?”
Marisol had never seen her father cry, except at her mother’s funeral, but now her father’s eyes filled with them.
“Oh, Marisol. Of all the words that you could have spoken, those are the hardest.”
“Father.”
“No, hush. I’m a selfish man. I have sinned too, sinned against you for my selfishness. I knew you could never love Tristan, and in the meanest part of my heart, I gave you to him because I know you would have returned to me.”
Marisol stared at her father, shocked at his confession. Never in her life had he done anything but show her love. The incident with Tristan was an aberration, something she couldn’t understand. Now she did, and all she wanted to do was burrow her head intp his shoulder.
The king swallowed hard. “Now you tell me you love a man, and I face what I fear the most, losing the only other person I love. Can you forgive me for being so selfish, for loving you so much I couldn’t bear to let you go?”
“Oh, Father, you cannot lose me. Not ever, but I will be very angry with you if you don’t make things right with Ryan. That is the least we can do for all the trouble we have given him.”
The king wiped his eyes with his hand and gave Marisol a little smile.
“Get dressed, daughter. We will go find your Ryan and make things right with him.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The King To The Rescue
“Are we ready?” King Francois said to Gustav.
Marisol stood behind her father, dressed in a proper suit of royal blue crepe, and a felt wide-brimmed hat of the same color. Her secretary, Countess Guerin, stood behind her, attired in a black wool suit. Pressed all around were Gustav’s security team in black suits. It was all properly royal.
“Yes, your Grace.”
“And damage control.”
Gustav gave a sly smile and handed a tablet to her father. He looked at it and chuckled.
“The print edition, Gustav?”
“No. Not yet, your Grace.”
“Too bad. I should like to have had a copy of it under my arm when we go to the courthouse.”
“What is it, father?” she asked.
“Take a look for yourself.” Her father handed her the tablet. On it was a picture of Tristan, looking very drunk, being taken into a London police station. Several women were in handcuffs also trailing behind him. The caption read:
Ukraine Prince Arrested on Drug and Prostitution Charges
“That was the reason he was late for the reception. Vattakov assured me it was a misunderstanding, but Gustav, after his investigation, found otherwise.”
“You didn’t leak this to the press?” She gaped at her father, not quite able to believe he’d done such a thing.
“Let’s just say I refused to pay the photographer not to publish this picture, but now no one will question why we pulled out of our contracts with the Vattakovs.”
“And look at this, your Grace,” said Gustav. He swiped another page with a different newspaper headline that read: Indicted Vattakov Prince Disinherited.
The king nodded. “He brought shame to his position and his family. King Vattakov’s younger son will be a better choice to rule their country.” He turned to Gustav. “Have we determined where Ryan Kelley will be arraigned?”
“Yes. The drivers for the cars have the address, and I have relayed your request for Mr. Kelley’s release through our embassy. They have not replied.”
“Well, let’s go embarrass them, shall we?”
The entourage made a very public exit out of the Grand Wedgewood Hotel, where a mob of reporters stood. Immediately ,they shouted questions.
King Francois raised his hands. “My daughter has a statement she’d like to make.”
The reporters settled down and waited expectantly for Marisol to speak. Just as she was taught in speech class, she threw back her shoulders and held her head high.
“I want to apologize to my father, to the citizens of Dalayasia, and the good people of New York and the United States for the concern I have caused all of you. It was reckless and irresponsible of me to take time to explore this beautiful city of yours without properly notifying my father, His Highness King Francois, or any of his advisers. One hopes that my youthful indiscretion will be forgiven in time.
“I didn’t expect to have caused such an uproar or cause so many people so much trouble. I want to thank all the people I have met on my tour of the city, who have displayed only the kindness and generosity that the American people are known for. In particular, I apologize to Ryan Kelley, owner of KelTech Corporation, for the trouble I caused him for being my guide and protector during these past three days.
“At this moment, he is being held by authorities under the misunderstanding that he committed crimes against me. He has not, and I call for his release immediately. We have dispatched lawyers to plead his case, and we understand he is going to be arraigned today. We’re going to the courthouse to support his cause and to secure his release. Thank you for your kindness and understanding.”
Her speech concluded, Gustav’s security pressed around them. They made their way to their waiting limos, while reporters shouted more questions after them.
***
There were more reporters at the courthouse, and even news trucks lined the street. Marisol, her father, and their entourage walked up the steps, security doing their job to keep the reporters and public away from the royal family of Dalaysia. At the security station, there was an uproar over the armed men, but eventually, especially with the intervention of one of the lawyers they’d hired, they gained entry.
Soon they were in the proper courtroom. Marisol spotted Cheryl and Peggy sitting in another row. “Father, invite them to sit with us. That’s Ryan’s mother and sister.”
Her father sent Gustav, but they shook their heads.
“No,” said her father, “this will not do.” He walked the few steps to where Cheryl and Peggy sat and spoke to them. Marisol didn’t hear what he said, but King Francois was very charming, and soon she saw Ryan’s mother and sister follow the king back to his row.
“Hi, Cheryl,” said Marisol.
“Hello, your Highness.”
“Please, Cheryl. It is always Marisol to you.”
“Th
ank you.”
“Have you talked to Ryan?”
“No,” said Peggy. “He only got the one phone call, and he used it for his lawyer.”
“I’m so sorry about all of this,” said Marisol.
“You needn’t be, Marisol,” said Cheryl. “I warned him from the beginning there could be trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
“He knew all along who you were. Remember when I told you he had a crush on a girl he never got over. That was you, Marisol. I think he had it in his head that if he got rich enough, he’d be able to meet you. Well, he got rich, but never did anything to meet you. He was always busy with work. And then you showed up in front of him.”
“All rise,” said the bailiff. “The Honorable Jorge Vasquez presiding.”
Marisol rose and sat with everyone else, thinking it reminded her a little of mass. The judge looked at something on his desk and shook his head.
“It looks like we have celebrity case here in the courtroom today. I will remind all here that I tolerate no disruptions in my courtroom and anyone who does that will be removed immediately. And just to make our day easier, let’s dispense with that case first.
“Ryan Kelley vs. The State of New York, aggravated kidnapping,” spoke the bailiff.
Ryan was ushered in, looking disheveled in his gray sweats and black t-shirt.
A lawyer moved and stood next to Ryan. “Justin Potts, attorney for Mr. Ryan.”
“Mr. Potts. I’ve not seen you in my courtroom.”
“I’m a corporate lawyer, your honor, but seeing the speed with which this was brought to arraignment, we had little choice.”
“Any member of the bar. Mr. Ryan, how do you plead to the charges?”
“Not guilty,” said Ryan. His chin was held high, and though Marisol couldn’t see, she imagined there was defiance in his eyes.
“Recommendations as to bail.”
“Excuse me, your honor,” said the lawyer sitting next to the king. “I beg the court’s indulgence. I’m Attorney Porter Shulman, here to present an amicus curiae brief on behalf of Ryan Kelley. The family asserts that no kidnapping took place. The alleged victim, Princess Marisol, will testify she wasn’t kidnapped. She stayed in Mr. Kelley’s apartment of her own will, and was in fact given access to a car that took her wherever she wanted to go.”
The judge sighed. “I see. Princess Marisol, I’ve watched the newscasts, like everyone else. What possessed you to leave your family like you did?”
“Your honor, it was a mistake, but I had a great curiosity about my mother’s family and wished to meet them.”
“I see. And did you?”
“I cannot meet those who are no longer living,” she said sadly.
“I see. Given the facts, I’m dismissing all charges.”
“Your honor,” said the prosecutor. “Mr. Kelley knew the NYPD was looking for the princess.”
“So? She is of-age, is she not? She says she wasn’t held against her will. You have no case, George, so let’s drop it and move on. Mr. Kelley, you’re free to go.”
“Thank you, Marisol,” said Cheryl, giving her a quick hug.
Ryan pushed down the aisle to get out of the courtroom and caught Marisol’s gaze, but turned his head. Cheryl and Peggy pushed out of the aisle, straining to catch up to Ryan. Marisol felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at her father.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Go get him.”
***
Gustav and four of the security guards followed Marisol in the hall. Reporters jammed themselves in front of Ryan, who was desperately trying to get away from them. Gustav made a hand motion, and two of the guards broke away and shepherded Ryan in the opposite direction of the door, while Gustav opened and closed doors down the hallway until he found what he was looking for. The security guards ushered Ryan into the room, and Gustav motioned for Marisol to join him.
The security guards withdrew, and Gustav shut the door, leaving the two alone.
“Hey,” said Marisol.
Ryan turned his head toward her, anger flashing in his eyes.
“What is this? Am I under arrest by your government now?”
“No, I just want to talk to you, Ryan.” She trembled under his angry gaze, but she had to make things right with him. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry about what, Marisol? Leaving me in the morning with a dear john email?”
“I had to do that.”
“Really? Is that all I meant to you—a quick fuck, and off you go?”
“No!”
“Couldn’t wait to get back to Vattakov?” He spoke the name with disgust.
“It’s not like that!”
“Admit it, you left so you could go marry him.”
“Yes,” she said trembling. She’d never seen Ryan angry before, and it hurt her in ways she couldn’t describe.
“That’s all I need to hear. Good-bye, Marisol.”
Ryan rushed through the room like he was on fire and tore open the door.
“Wait!” called Marisol.
But Ryan didn’t wait, and he was gone when she rushed to the door and looked down the halls.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
New Business Ventures
All of Marisol’s luggage was packed and sent off to the airport. They had spent two additional days in the city, as her father reached out to new connections to try to save their little country. Marisol stayed in her room. She told her father it was because the reporters kept hounding her, but the reality was she couldn’t face New York, Ryan’s New York, without him by her side. For two days she lay in bed inconsolable, eating little and crying into her pillows.
Her father had told her last night they were leaving, and she was glad. She could put this behind her and be the princess her country expected. From this point onward, she would commit to making Dalaysia a better place, just as her mother did. So she got out of her bed and made ready to leave.
Now she waited for her father, who got involved in a last-minute plan to shore up the economics of her country. She stood at the large pane of glass that looked down over the city streets. Just a few days ago she’d stood there, angry and embittered about a fate she had no control over. Now she was sad, gripped with a grief that shook her soul. She had done everything wrong and lost so much. She’d shaken her father’s trust in her and caused him fear and pain. The quest to find her mother’s family had ended bitterly. And on top of all that, she’d lost the man she loved.
The front doors of her suite opened.
“Marisol, I want you to meet our new business partner.”
Her father sounded exceptionally cheerful, which was good. Marisol, however, couldn’t find it in her heart to be glad. Obviously he had worked something out, but Marisol’s heart was still heavy.
“Just a minute, your Grace,” she called out. She looked in the mirror to make sure her makeup and wig was in place. Gone was Marisol the housekeeper. Here stood Marisol, Princess of Dalaysia.
The man’s back was to her as she entered the room, finding her father fixing drinks from the bar. She stopped in her tracks. It couldn’t be.
“Ah, Marisol. I’m sure you know Mr. Kelley.” Her father beamed at her.
Ryan turned and smiled.
“Hello, your Grace,” he said.
“Ryan here has the most amazing ideas for mining indium tin oxide that was too expensive to mine before.”
“He does?” Marisol quirked a brow.
“Yes. The merger with his company and Dalaysia Mining will benefit both KelTech and our country and extend our production of the mineral for twenty years.”
“By that time, there will be something new on the market for creating touchscreens. My company is working on that too, but regardless of whether it’s indium or something else, we’ll manufacture touchscreens and other electronic equipment in Dalaysia, providing continuous employment for Dalaysian citizens.”
“You will?”
“Yes,” said her father. “We’ve been
able to work out agreeable terms, tax deferments, and a favorable lease agreement for the land.”
“That’s wonderful,” said Marisol in a tone that said anything but.
“It is wonderful. It is just the thing to get our country on its economic feet.”
“Yes, it sounds like it is.”
“You know,” said the king, “I think there is something I need to discuss with Gustav. I’ll be right back.”
“Father—”
But he slipped out the door, leaving her alone with Ryan.
“Thank you, Mr. Kelley, for coming to our aid once again,” she said coldly.
Ryan lowered his eyes and pursed his lips. He took a big breath and then looked at her again
“How are you doing, Marisol?”
Marisol lifted her chin, feeling confused. “I’m fine.”
“I see that,” he said with an appraising grin.
Marisol felt exposed and vulnerable. She hated that feeling. “Why are you here, Ryan? You made your feelings clear the last time we saw each other.”
He sighed, and the tips of his ears turned bright red.
“You know I’m Irish, right?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Us Irish, well, when we get an idea in our heads, we get stuck on it. I was crazy jealous, Marisol, of the idea you’d marry Vattakov. It made me act like an idiot. I hope you can forgive me?”
“You’re forgiven for being an idiot,” she said in her most royal voice possible. It held a touch of disdain that would put off most people. Apparently, it almost had the desired effect.
Ryan muttered something to himself, and she hoped he would leave. She couldn’t bear to look at him or to be this close. He had hurt her badly.
He caught Marisol’s gaze again. “Okay, I deserved that. I was an idiot. I loved you for a long time, Marisol, from the first time I saw your picture in one of my sister’s teen magazines.”